CAN FRACKING BE DONEIN A SUSTAINABLE WAY?SUMMARY REPORT

BLOMIDON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUBCORNER BROOK, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADORFEBRUARY 11, 2015

MICHAEL CLAIRASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (PUBLIC POLICY)THE LESLIE HARRIS CENTRE OF REGIONAL POLICY AND DEVELOPMENTMEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND

CONTENTSIntroductionandAcknowledgements..........................................................................................................1

ContextfortheForum..................................................................................................................................2

TheProgram.................................................................................................................................................3

WelcomeandIntroductions.........................................................................................................................4

Discussion.................................................................................................................................................4

PresentationsfromLocalLeaders................................................................................................................6

ChrisNoseworthy,PresidentoftheGreaterCornerBrookBoardofTrade.............................................6

AnneMarceau,MemberoftheNewfoundlandandLabradorFrackingAwarenessNetwork.................6

DeanBall,Mayor,TownofDeerLake......................................................................................................6

CommentsandQuestions........................................................................................................................7

BreakoutSession1.......................................................................................................................................8

Question1:whatarethemajorareasofuncertaintythatwestillhaveaboutfracking?........................8

Question2:Whataretherolesof thefollowing in fillingtheknowledgegaps?Whatkindofassistance/leadershipwouldyou look for fromthemtogetyourquestionsanswered? Howcredibledoyouconsiderthemtobe?......................................................................................................9

BreakoutSession2.....................................................................................................................................11

Question1.Whatprocessshouldbeinplaceforthepeopleofthisregiontobefullyengagedin thedecision-making process? What process would be fair and where everyone’s voicewouldbeheard?.....................................................................................................................................11

Question 2: what roles would you expect the following to play in the decision-makingprocess?.................................................................................................................................................13

NextStepsandEvaluation..........................................................................................................................17

Appendix:MandatesoftheHarrisCentreandtheEPI..............................................................................19

LeslieHarrisCentreofRegionalPolicyandDevelopment(St.John'sCampus).....................................19

EnvironmentalPolicyInstitute(CornerBrookCampus).........................................................................19

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INTRODUCTIONANDACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThisreportistheresultofaday-longforumthattookplaceinCornerBrookonFebruary11th,2015.TheForumwas organized by Memorial University of Newfoundland, specifically by the Leslie Harris Centre of RegionalPolicyandDevelopment(basedontheSt.John’sCampus)andtheEnvironmentalPolicyInstitute(“EPI”,basedontheGrenfellCampusinCornerBrook).Themandatesofthesetwounitsareincludedinappendix.

The authorwishes to thankDr. Antony Card, Associate Vice-President (Research) at theGrenfell Campus forhosting the event. Aswell, thanks are due toDr.Michael Van Zyll de Yong,Director of the EPI, andDr. PaulFoley,AssistantProfessorintheEPI,fortheirpartnershipinorganizingtheevent.

TheforumwasheldattheBlomidonGolf&CountryClubinCornerBrook,andwasprecededbyapubliclectureheldattheCornerBrookCivicCentrethepreviousevening.ThelecturefeaturedpresentationsbyDr.MichaelQuinn,theTalismanEnergyChairandDirectoroftheInstituteforEnvironmentalSustainabilityatMountRoyalUniversity in Calgary, and Dr. Stephen Tomblin, Professor of Political Science at the St. John’s Campus ofMemorialUniversity.Dr.Quinnleadsateamoftwentyscholars(includingDr.Tomblin)inastudythatlooksatthe impactsof frackingon landscapes andwatersheds, and that is fundedbyEnvironmentCanadaunder theauspicesof theCanadianWaterNetwork.Bothscholarsparticipated in theday-long forumthe followingday.TheauthorisgratefulfortheparticipationofthesetwoeminentscholarsattheForum.

Theforumfeaturedshortpresentationsbythreelocalleadersengagedinthediscussiononfracking.DeanBallistheMayorofDeerLake,acommunitythatwouldbe impactedbyany frackingactivity inWesternNewfound-land.AnneMarceauisamemberoftheNewfoundlandandLabradorFrackingAwarenessNetwork,agrass-rootsorganizationthatmonitorsfrackingactivityinthisregion.AndChrisNoseworthyisthePresidentoftheGreaterCornerBrookBoardofTrade.Allthreeengagedinadiscussionwiththeaudienceaftertheirpresentations.Theauthor congratulates these panelists for their courage in taking part in an event that discussed a verycontentiousissueinWesternNewfoundland.

Thisreportismadepossiblebecauseofthededicatedworkofthevolunteernote-takerswhohadbeenassignedtoeachdiscussiongroup.Recordingdiscussionsasanimated,dynamicandcomplexasthosethattookplaceattheforumisararetalent,andtheauthorsincerelythanksthenote-takersfortheirexcellentwork:GaryCatano,CamelliaIbrahim,MaryMcCormack,DylanOdd,AyoolaOdeyemiandJillianSmith.

It took nearly a year of preparation to organize this event. The authorwishes to thank his colleagues at theHarris Centre for their unstinting dedication to making the event the success that it became: Dr. RobGreenwood,ExecutiveDirectoroftheHarrisCentreandtheOfficeofPublicEngagement;BojanFurst,ManagerofKnowledgeMobilization;MorganMurray,PublicPolicy Intern;DianeKeough,CommunicationsCoordinator;JenniferMcVeigh,AdministrativeAssistant;andtherestoftheteam.SpecialthanksarealsoextendedtoMarionMcCahonoftheProvincialGovernment’sOfficeofPublicEngagementforhelpwithasurvey.

Finally,theeventwasthesuccessthat itbecamebecauseoftheinvolvementoftheparticipants.Seventy(70)peopleattendedthepublicforumontheeveningofFebruary10thandanother143watchedthelivewebcast.Fortheforum,fifty(50)peoplegaveuptheirdaytoparticipateinthediscussions.Theorganizingcommitteeforthiseventwantstosincerelythankeveryonewhoparticipated.

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CONTEXTFORTHEFORUMTheuseoffrackingtorecoveroilandgasreservesiscontentious,notjust inNewfoundlandandLabrador,butthroughout the world. In 2013, Memorial University's Harris Centre had identified hydraulic fracturing("fracking") as an important issue of public policy in this province, especially on the West Coast of New-foundland.Anumberofcitizens’groupshadarisenintheregionasaresultofproposalstoundertakefrackingdevelopments,andthelocalmediahaddevotedasignificantamountofcoveragetotheissue.

TheHarrisCentre'smandateincludestheorganizationofforumswhereimportantissuesofpublicpolicycanbediscussed in an informed, non-partisan and respectful manner. Since its inception in 2004, the Centre hasorganizedeventsdealingwithsuch issuesas the fishery,education, regionaldevelopment, transportationandoil&gasroyaltyregimes.Foritspart,theEPI’smandateincludesfacilitatingdebateonprovincialenvironmentalpolicyissueswithintheenvironmentalpolicycommunityaswellasthebroaderpublic.

InFebruary2014,theHarrisCentreorganizeda"MemorialPresents"publicforuminCornerBrook,featuringDr.MauriceDusseaultoftheUniversityofWaterlooandDr.LesleyJames,MemorialUniversity'sChevronChair inPetroleumEngineering.Theintentofthisforumwastoprovidecitizenswithfactualinformationaboutfrackingfrom an engineering perspective. This event was covered extensively by the media, in both WesternNewfoundland and more broadly throughout the province, and generated a large number of comments ondiscussionboards,bothinfavouroffrackingandagainst.Giventhecontentiousnatureofthediscussionatthisforum,theHarrisCentrepromisedtoreturntoWesternNewfoundlandtoundertakeasecondpublicforumandperhapsamoreinteractiveworkshop.

Following this 2014 public forum, the Harris Centre contacted the Grenfell Campus’ Environmental PolicyInstitute(EPI)tocreateacollaborativeapproachforthisfollow-upforum.Thetwounitsagreedtoorganizethisforum for some time in February2015. Theeventwas to includeanother “Memorial Presents”public forum,eventuallyscheduledfortheeveningofFebruary10th,aswellasaday-longworkshoptobeheldthefollowingday. These two events were promoted extensively to the Federal and Provincial governments, to municipalgovernments on theWest Coast of the Island, to non-governmental organizations representing business andecologicalgroups,tothemedia,andtothegeneralpublic.

In the meantime, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in response to citizens’ concerns aboutfracking,createdtheFrackingReviewPaneltoholdhearingsontheissue.Thispanel,appointedbytheMinisterof Natural Resources,was to be chaired by Dr. Ray Gosine, Associate Vice-President (Research) atMemorialUniversity,andwas to includeDr.Dusseaultaswellas threeotherexperts.MichaelClairof theHarrisCentremet with Dr. Gosine on January 8th to ensure that the Centre's initiative did not conflict with the Panel'smandateandwasassuredthatitdidnot.Dr.GosineencouragedtheHarrisCentretocontinuewithitsplannedevent.

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THEPROGRAMThe use of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) to recover oil and gas is generating a great deal of discussion inWesternNewfoundland.Thiseventwasmeanttobringtogetherlocalresidentswithvariousperspectivesaboutfrackinginordertodiscusstheissueinaninformed,non-partisanandrespectfulmanner.

This one-day workshop entitled “Can Fracking be Done in a Sustainable Way?” took place on Wednesday,February 11, 2015, at the Blomidon Golf & Country Club in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador. Theeventwasopentorepresentativesoforganizationsfromcivilsociety,academiaandalllevelsofgovernment,aswellas to individualcitizens. Itwas facilitatedbyMemorialUniversity’sLeslieHarrisCentreofRegionalPolicyandDevelopment.

A “Memorial Presents” public forum was held in the evening before the workshop entitled “What are theEnvironmentalRisksofFrackingonLandscapesandWatersheds?”Dr.MichaelQuinn,TalismanEnergyChairandDirector of the Institute for Environmental Sustainability at Mount Royal University in Calgary, presented ageneraloverviewofhydraulicfracturingandhorizontaldrillingfor“tight”(i.e.,shale)oilandgas,andidentifiedthe potential risks for water contamination and other environmental consequences. The presentationsummarizedwhatiscurrentlyknownabouttheenvironmentalrisksassociatedwithfrackingandwherethereisneed for further research.Dr. StephenTomblin,professor in theDepartmentofPolitical ScienceatMemorialUniversity,explored the key political and policy issues surrounding shale gas production and watermanage-ment, focusingonwhatkindof tensionsexistandwhatkindsofprocessesarerequiredornecessarytomakesure thatbothscientificand layexpertisehaveavoice indecision-making.Thevideoof this sessionhasbeenarchivedontheHarrisCentre’swebsiteathttp://www.mun.ca/harriscentre/policy/memorialpresents/2015b/.

TheagendafortheworkshoponFebruary11thwasasfollows:

• Welcomeandintroductions- PurposeoftheForum- “RulesofEngagement”

• Paneldiscussionfeaturingthreelocalleaders• Twobreakoutgroupdiscussionswithreport-backsessions• Nextstepsandadjournment

Eachoftheseitemsisaddressedinaseparatesectionofthisreport.

Thereportiswrittenasasynthesisofthenotestakenbyparticipantsineachofthebreakoutgroups.

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WELCOMEANDINTRODUCTIONSTheFacilitatorwelcomedtheparticipantsandinvitedthemtointroducethemselvestothegroup.(Alistoftheparticipantsisincludedinappendix.)Hethenoutlinedthepurposeofthemeeting:

1. To gain a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding fracking on the West Coast ofNewfoundland: its potential socio-economic benefits and the potential risks to personal health, theenvironment,infrastructure,etc.

2. ToempowerlocalresidentstoassumegreaterlocalcontroloverdecisionsrelatedtodevelopmentandconservationinWesternNewfoundland.

3. Toidentifyimportantknowledgegapsandpossibleresearchopportunities:whatisitthatwestillneedtoknowinordertobeabletomakethebestpossibledecisionsaboutfrackinginWesternNewfound-land?

4. Tocreateanopportunityforreflectionabouttheregion’scollectiveattitudetowardsfracking.5. Tocreateanopportunityfordialogue–notdebate–onthetopicoffracking.Debatingimpliesthatwe

arguethemeritsof thecase;dialogue ismoreadiscussionaboutsharedvaluesandhowtoachieveasolutionthatmeetstheinterestsofallstakeholders.

6. Todeterminewhetherthereisaneed/desiretocontinuethisprocess.7. Toproducea“whatweheard”reportthatcapturesthemajorpointsraisedduringtheForum.

Whendiscussinganissueascontentiousasfracking,itisimportanttofollowspecificrules:

• Tobeatthismeetingimpliesthatyouarecommittedtotakingaconstructiveapproachtotheissue,andtoseekingaconsensussolution.

• Allperspectivesaboutfrackingarewelcome.• Whenrespondingtoacomment,makesuretoaddresstheissue,andnottoattackthepersonmaking

thecomment.• Listenrespectfullyandwaityourturntospeak.• Keepyourcommentsshortandtothepoint.• Whenspeakingduringtheplenarydiscussions,addressthemoderator.

IntheForum,theFacilitator’srolewasto:

• Maintainanorderedlistofpersonswhowishtoaddresstheaudience.• Recognizethepersonwhohasthefloor.• Ensurespeakersarerespectfulandon-topic.• Giveeveryoneanequalchancetospeak,giventheoveralltimeconstraintofthesession.• Andensurethesessionbeginsandendsontime.

DISCUSSIONSome participants were uncomfortable entering into a discussion as to whether fracking could be donesustainably.Theverytitleoftheforum,“CanFrackingBeDone inaSustainableWay?” impliesthatfracking is

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the“defaultoption”fortheregion’sfuture,andthattheonusisonthosewhoareopposedtofrackingtoprovetheircase.Itmaybemoreusefultostepbackandaskthebroaderquestion,“whatdoweneedtodotoensurethatWesternNewfoundlandremainssustainableintothelong-termfuture,intermsofitseconomy,societyandenvironment?”Is there even a need to frack? Are there alternatives to fracking? And what’s the rush? Theresourceisn’tgoinganywhere.

Fracking cannot and should not be debated on its own; it needs to be put in the larger framework of anindustrial policy or sustainability strategy for the province, or at least for the West Coast. The followingquestionsneedtobeasked:

1. WhatshouldbetheenergypolicyofNewfoundlandandLabrador?2. What should be the drivers of economic development in Western NL? What are alternative energy

sources,otherthanfossilfuels?3. HowcanweworktowardsasustainablefutureforWesternNL?

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PRESENTATIONSFROMLOCALLEADERSCHRISNOSEWORTHY,PRESIDENTOFTHEGREATERCORNERBROOKBOARDOFTRADETheGreaterCornerBrookBoardofTraderepresentsthebusinesscommunity(includingtheoilindustry)ofthemost populous region ofWesternNewfoundland.Offshore oil and gas revenues are contributing 30% of theProvincialGovernment’srevenues,permittingtheconstructionofschools,hospitals,etc.Aswell,ruralareasarefacing a demographic crisis. It can be argued that the greatest employer in Western Newfoundland is FortMcMurray,Alberta;that is,manyofourresidentshavetocommute longdistancesandbeawayforextendedperiods away from home, creating all sorts of social problems here.WhileWestern Newfoundland does nothaveatraditionoffracking(norofdrillingforconventionaloilandgas),frackingisbeingdonesuccessfullyandsustainablyinAlberta,sotherearesuccessfulmodelstofollowelsewhere.However,itisuptotheresidentsoftheregiontodetermineiffrackingshouldbeallowed.Thereneedstobeadiscussionabouttheacceptablelimitonpollutioninthisprovince,andpartofthedebateisachoicebetweenruraldeclineandfrackingactivity.Mr.Noseworthy is in favour of a strong regulatory environment that reminds us that “we”, as a province, don’tfrack;rather,frackingisdonebyprivateentitiesandwemustdecidewhethertherisksareworththebenefit.

ANNEMARCEAU,MEMBEROFTHENEWFOUNDLANDANDLABRADORFRACKINGAWARENESS

NETWORKProtecting theenvironment reliesonpeople’sactiveengagementwith it throughrecreationandtourism.Theinvestmentthattourismattractscontributestomentalandphysicalhealthandgivestheregionacompetitiveadvantage; itmakes itamoreattractiveregiontovisitandto live in.Fracking isnotthesameasconventionaldrilling,andthegeologyofAlbertaismuchdifferentfromthatofWesternNewfoundland.Frackingisahigh-riskventureandagambleforbusiness,healthandtheenvironment.Thecostsoffrackingoutweighanybenefitsthatmay be seen in the region and the negative externalities are too important. If we take a “full life-cycle”perspectiveonfrackingandaskwhetheritissustainable(i.e.,doesitconservetheecologicalbalanceand/orisitsustainableovertime?),thenfrackingisclearlynotsustainable.Importantunansweredquestionsremain,suchas where will waste go andwhowill pay for the infrastructure?Where will themillions of gallons of waterneededforfrackingcomefrom?Willcrimeratesgoupwithextractiveindustriesbecauseoftransientworkers?Who will pay for the increased health costs and policing? Current discussion over-estimate the benefits:relativelyfewlocalpeoplearehired,sincetheindustryispopulatedbyspecializedworkcrewswhoarebroughtinfromoutside.Andwhowillmonitorabandonedwells,cleanthemupwhennecessaryandpayfortheclean-up?

DEANBALL,MAYOR,TOWNOFDEERLAKESmall towns have small budgets and they struggle to get by. They are, of course, interested in economicdevelopment,butnotatanycost.Theyareoftenfacedwithdifficultdecisions,includingsomethatmayaffectthecommunity’sveryexistence.TownCouncilsmustalsodealwiththeNIMBY issue;someresidentsmaynotwant a development “in their back yard”, even though the developmentmight benefit the community as awhole. It’s importanttokeepanopenmindandtofocusonfactual informationwhendiscussingthefutureof

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theoil industry in theprovince.Beforeadecision ismadeon the fateof fracking, there shouldalsobeothersolutionsforeconomicdevelopmentinruralNewfoundlandandLabradoronthetable;itshouldn’tbe“frackingornothing”.Itcomesdowntoriskmanagement;peoplemightbemorewillingtoacceptmoreriskiftherearenootherviablealternativesavailabletothem.

COMMENTSANDQUESTIONS• Severalparticipantsconveyedasenseoffrustrationatwhatvoiceshaveandhavenotbeenconsidered

inthediscussiononfrackinginWesternNewfoundlandthusfar.Onerespondentsharedthebeliefthatthefrackingprocessisamoralandculturalissue,thattheearthisnotaresourcetobeexploited,thatthe fate of future generations has not been part of the discussion; inmany cases, the First Nations’perspectivehasnotbeenconsideredinthedebate.

• Another contributor voiced theopinion that themonetary costsof frackingare toohighand thatweshouldbe lookingforalternatives.Theopinionexiststhatthe issue isgettingpushedoncommunities,where fracking is framed as the “be-all-and-end-all” of economic sustainability; citizens are beingpushedbythegovernmentandtheBoardofTradeeventhoughthereisnooilyetandotheralternativestoregionaleconomicdevelopmenthavenotbeenexplored.

• Moregenerally,therewasasenseofdistrustintheprocessofhowdecisionsaroundfrackingarebeingmade,and inparticular that thegovernmenthasweakened the rightsof citizens toparticipate in theprocessand increased thepowerof corporations topolice themselves.Theexamplewasgivenof thegoldminenearRoseBlanche: the tailingspond therebreachedandpollutantswere released into theenvironment,creating impactson the fishery inparticular.Public fundinghadtobespent tocleanupthemess.

• One respondentemphasized the importanceof looking carefullyat fracking,notonlybecause it is animportantpublicpolicyissue,butbecauseitraisesquestionsabouthowwetackleissuescollectivelyascommunitieslargeandsmall.Aswell,somecommunitiesarebeingsplitoverthisissue.

• Governmentshouldbecreatingsupportiveenvironmentsfor“greenenergy”development.Rightnow,itisthecontrary;recentlegislationactuallymakesitillegalforanyonebutNalcortocontributeelectricalenergytotheprovincialgrid.

• Someproponentsoffrackingpromoteshalegasasa“low-carbonfuel”,especiallycomparedwithcoalorBunker-C fuel. However, the United Nations Energy Program has stated that shale oil and gas are aliability in reaching climate change targets and are actually delaying the transition to a low-carboneconomy.

• Could fracking be approached as a pilot project? That is, instead of giving a blanket approval to allcomers,whynotcommissionNalcorwithdrillingtenortwentywells,andthenevaluatingtheresults?

• BlackSpruceExploration stated that ithasno interest to frackon land.Rather, theyare interested infrackingundertheGulfofSt.Lawrence,andusingsaltwaterasthefrackingmedium.

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BREAKOUTSESSION1DiscussionsduringBreakoutSession1wereguidedbytwoquestions.Thefirst lookedatknowledgegapsthatexistaboutfracking.Arethereanymajorknowledgegapsand,ifyes,whatotherinformationwouldweliketohaveinordertomakeaninformeddecisionaboutwhetherornottoallowfrackinginWesternNewfoundland?Andwhatistheresponsibilityofthevariousactorsinfillinganyknowledgegaps?

QUESTION1:WHATARETHEMAJORAREASOFUNCERTAINTYTHATWESTILLHAVEABOUTFRACKING?• The study undertaken by the Canadian Society of Academies1and the Report of the Nova Scotia

IndependentReviewPanelonHydraulicFracturing2pointedtoseveralmajorknowledgegaps,aswellastotheabsenceofbaselinestudiesinaffectedregions.

• OnespecificknowledgegapthataffectsplansforWesternNewfoundlandistheabsenceofinformationaboutonshore-to-offshoredrilling.Thereareveryfewplacesintheworldwheresuchapracticeisbeingused.Thismustinvolveuniqueandcomplexissues.

• Whyhere,andwhynow?Isfrackingarealconcernrightnow?Andwhoisthedrivingforce?Ifitisn’tsourgent,thenwhyaretheseconversationsoccurringnow?It’spossiblethattheworryaboutfrackingmaybe for nothing if there’s no plan tomove aheadwith it and if no one is actually interested in it. Oilcompanies are not publicly announcing their intentions, butworkingbehind the scenes. Black SpruceExplorationissayingattoday’smeetingthatitwasneverplanningonfrackingonland.

• Fracking’s role in regional development: It is said that “weneed to frack tohelp theeconomy”. Butwould fracking even satisfy that? Is it a viable form of economic development in our context?Whowould bear the costs and who would benefit? Alternative economic drivers in the area include thefishery,aquacultureandtourism.Theconversationneedstoincludeadiscussionofallthealternatives.There is a need for a visioning exercise about what kind of region we want to live in; sustainableeconomic development and sustainable energy generation need to be part of this exercise. ThediscussionshouldbeaboutbuildingadiversifiedeconomyontheWestCoastthatislong-term.

• Frackingisnotasilverbullet:Frackingwillnotsolveoursocialproblemslikeanagingpopulationsandorruraldepopulation.Frackingisnotthe“be-all-and-end-all”toproblemslikelaborshortagesandout-migration.

• Environmentandtourism:WhentheBoardofTradespokeonthistopicinthepast,italwayssaidthatwehadtofrackbecausethepopulationontheWestCoastiscontinuallydecliningandonlyfrackingwillsustaintheregion.Whatitomitsfromthediscussionsishowtheareacouldbecomeunlivableinapost-frackedera.Nooneisgoingtowanttolivehere.Itmayalsoimpactreputationoftheareaanddecreasetourism: consider Gros Morne’s “pristine wilderness”; if you change the perception of the area inpeople’sminds,itwillbecomefarlessattractive.

• Need for fossil fuels:Wecan’t forget that fossil fuelsplayan important role inmanydomains in thisprovince, including food security.Our foodsystem isdependenton the fossil fuels toget food toourtables:ferries,trucks,etc.

1 http://www.scienceadvice.ca/en/assessments/completed/shale-gas.aspx2

http://energy.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Report%20of%20the%20Nova%20Scotia%20Independent%20Panel%20on%20Hydraulic%20Fracturing.pdf

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• Complexgeologyof the region:Thegeologic feature thatdrawstourists toWesternNewfoundland–theTablelandMountains– is thesurface representationofunderground forces thathavewarped thegeological layers, upending, folding and crushing them. Even if the layers of shale resided below thisregion of disturbance and were relatively horizontal, the fracked liquids would still need to travelthrough the disturbed region, potentially seeping fracked liquids into adjoining underground waterwells.

• Beingproactive:TheGreaterCornerBrookBoardofTradeandtheTownofDeerLakesay,“weneedtolookatwhat’sbeingpresentedtous.”Buttheyneedtohaveanunderlyingethic,andnotjustapproveaproposalbecauseit’stheonlyonetheyhave.Thisresponseistoopassiveandreactive.

• Impact on industries: how do you evaluate how one potential industry is going to affect existingindustries?What are the possible consequences of fracking on existing infrastructure and industries(e.g.,tourism,fishery,forestry)?

• Data: There is a need for baseline data onwater standards, air quality, population health, andmorebeforeweproceedwithanymoreindustrialtransformationinthearea.

• Regulation:Questionsremainabouttheregulatoryregime.Whowouldbeonthehook forpaying forremediation? Do we have the monitoring capacity? Regulations must be approved and enforced bygovernment.

• Politicalandcorporateaccountability:Timescalesaroundpoliticalcyclesandresourceextractioncyclesneedtobeconsidered.Politicalandcorporateaccountabilityissuessuchasturnoverinelectedofficialsposedifficulties.

QUESTION2:WHATARETHEROLESOFTHEFOLLOWINGINFILLINGTHEKNOWLEDGEGAPS?WHATKIND

OFASSISTANCE/LEADERSHIPWOULDYOULOOKFORFROMTHEMTOGETYOURQUESTIONSANSWERED?HOWCREDIBLEDOYOUCONSIDERTHEMTOBE?

• There is actually a high level of knowledge about fracking inWestern Newfoundland; some people havebeen researching this issue for several years. It is therefore important,when conducting researchon thistopic,toinvolvethepopulaceincommunity-basedresearchandtoclearlycommunicatethefindingsofthisresearch.

• ProvincialGovernment:TheProvincialGovernmentseemstodisparagewhatlocalcitizensknowandwhatthey’retalkingabout.TheProvincialGovernmentneedstoanswerthe“whyhere,whynow?”question.It’shardto lookattheGovernmentas leadersbecausethey’restuckinan“oilmindset.”There’salsoconcernthatwhenapolitician’stermisover,theyhavealreadynegotiatedwell-paidjobsintheoilindustry,andthushaveavestedinterestinsupportingfracking.Howcanweseethemascredible?TheProvincialGovernmentdoesnothavealotofcredibilityasfarasleadershipgoes.

• FederalGovernment:Weneeda standardizedwayof relatingbenefits and risks at theFederal level.Weneedmoreandbetterregulationsinlinewiththecurrentissuesandconcerns,notjusthowtohandleaspill,but on integrating social concerns and the current issues being dealtwith through legislative bodies.The

• GOV’TOFCANADA• GOV’TOFNL• MUNICIPALGOV’TS• MUN

• DRILLINGCOMPANIES• CITIZENS’GROUPS• OTHERS (OTHER PROVINCES, FIRST NATIONS

GROUPS)

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FederalGovernmentdoesn’twant to stepon theProvince’s toes,however, and therefore it’snot gettingdone.

• MemorialUniversity and researchers: Geologistshavecredibility,buthowmany reportsdoes thepublicget to see? Both levels of governments have cut back on funding for science and have diminished theirability to communicate scientific findings to thepublic by destroying evidenceor imposing gagorders ontheirscientists,etc.MemorialUniversity is largelyoil-funded(andtheHarrisCentreaswell,byextension).The role of the University should not just be about answering areas of uncertainty about fracking. Theyshouldbetakingonbiggersocialandtechnologicalquestions.Theiradvisoryboardsarelargelyindustry,soindustry is shaping theirquestions, framing theiragendaand focus.Let’s start lookingbeyond fossil fuels.TheUniversitycanbehelpfulinconnectingresources(e.g.,across-campuses)andcanprovidecomparative,generalknowledge,shedlightonwhat’shappeningelsewhere.Theyaregenerallyempiricallyrigorousandcritical and can bring together networks of knowledge. University institutions are not always good atdisseminatingknowledge,however,whichiswherethemediacan/shouldplayaroleindisseminatingthatinformation in accessible ways, being conduits of the conversations, and bringing topics back tocommunities.

• Drilling companies: Distrust exists towards drilling companies because they have a reputation of puttingprofitsbeforepeopleortheenvironment.There isconcernthatdrillingcompaniesevadequestionsaboutrisks, the real plans for exploiting the resources, and the costs that tax-payers will have to pay in theimmediateandlong-term.Theyevadequestionsaboutthedisposalofwaste-water,forexample.Thereareproblemswiththevalidityofassessmentsdonebyconsultantshiredbytheoil&gasindustry,andbecauseofthis,asenseofdistrusttowardsdrillingcompanies.Concernwasexpressedaboutthewayenvironmentalassessments are conducted: if done by government (which is pro-fracking), conclusions cannot havecredibility; if done by private companies, the approval to proceed is almost 100%; if consultants recom-mended against a proposed project, theywould not be hired to domore assessments of environmentalimpacts.

• ExternalReviewPanel:Therearequestionsofcredibility,balanceandknowledgegaps(forexample,therearenoexpertsonthepanelonhealth,environmentorsocialimpacts).

• FirstNations’ voices aremissing fromdiscussion, their perspectiveon fracking is absent. It’s complicatedbecausepeopleinthisprovincearestillcomingtogripswiththeirancestry,thehistoryofracism,etc.InPortauPort,bandsseemtobequietlyanti-fracking(notasvisiblypresentandoutspokenasAboriginalgroupsinNB).3

3 TheQalipuNationhadbeeninvitedtoparticipateintheForum,includingaspanelists,buttheydeclinedtodoso.

However,somemembersoftheQalipuNationdidattendtheforumasinterestedcitizens.

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BREAKOUTSESSION2Discussions during Breakout Session 2 were guided by two questions. The first dealt with the selection of aprocess thatwould engage thepublic,while the seconddealtwithhow the various authorities could engagemoreofthepublicinthedecision-makingprocess.

QUESTION1.WHATPROCESSSHOULDBEINPLACEFORTHEPEOPLEOFTHISREGIONTOBEFULLY

ENGAGEDINTHEDECISION-MAKINGPROCESS?WHATPROCESSWOULDBEFAIRANDWHERE

EVERYONE’SVOICEWOULDBEHEARD?• Needforabigger-pictureprocess:

- Thereisasensethattheissueoffrackingshouldbeembeddedinalargerecosystem/landuse-basedpolicy/planningprocess.Somesuggestionsonwaysforwardincludeholdingareferendum,makingfrackingamajorpolitical issue;makingpoliticiansaccountable;attainingmoretruthfulinformationby industry;usingMemorialUniversity forpeer-reviewedresearch;and/orencouraging themediatoundertakemoreinvestigativejournalism.

- Townsandboardsoftradeneedaneco-systemmanagement-basedplaninplacebeforetheylookatindustrieslikefracking.Howwouldfrackingfitintosuchaplan?

- TheWestCoastneedsa strategy forhowwearegoing touse landandwater–aholisticviewofwherewewanttofindourselvesinthefuture.Theprocessshouldincludecross-cuttingissuessuchas health and environment. We can’t continue looking at one project at a time (e.g., fracking)withoutthislargerstrategicdevelopmentprocess.

- Weneedtohavealong-termvisionasasocietyandaregionastohowwe’llgoaboutdealingwithresource development, and a broader conversation about the future of energy policy in theprovince.TheHarrisCentreandtheEPIshouldpartnertofacilitatethisvisioningexercise.Makesuretoinvolveallstakeholdersandperspectives.

• Consultingthepublic:

- Theconsensuswithintheroomwasthattheforumparticipantswereagoodrepresentationoftheopinions of the population ofWestern Newfoundland. Most communities in the region are wellawareofsuchissuesasclimatechange,fracking,regionaldevelopment,etc.

- Discussionsneedtobenon-confrontationalandbalanced.Peopleresentconsultationsthataredonewhenthepolicyhasalreadybeenwrittenandpassed.Thepublicneedstobemeaningfullyengagedandpartoftheplanningprocess.

- Thepublicshouldnotbecontrolledormanipulated,aswhenthescopeofparticipationisnarrowedorwhentheyarebeingconfinedtoexternallypredefinedcategories.

- The recommendations of the Review Panel on Fracking should be influenced or voted on by thepublicasopposedtoimplementedunilaterallybythegovernment.

- Something this complicated needs to be examined using multiple processes, because differentpeople are comfortable with different approaches (e.g., online survey, keypad polling, meetingspeakers face-to-face,etc.).Thiswillnotworkasaone-size-fits-allprocess. It requiresavarietyofwaysforpeopletoplugin,offerinputanddecidehoworiffrackinghappens.

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- Theremaybeaneedtoeducatepeopleaspartofconsultingthem.Aswell,consultationsneedtobeproperlyplannedsoasnottocause“consultationfatigue”.

- Newfoundlandand Labrador should adopt theNova Scotiamodel: thatprovince stated that theirreview processwas part of a larger conversationandwould not recommend a specific course ofaction.

- Itwassuggestedthataregionalorganizationbecreatedwithamandatetobringpeopletogetheratappropriatetimes,sothatwhenanissuearises,thisorganizationcanbeconvenedandengagethepublicinmeaningfulpublicdiscourse.

• Gettingthefactsout:- Weneedtoensurethatthefactual informationgetsouttoasmanypeopleaspossibleinorderto

addressaserious lackof informationonbothsides. It isextremely important tohaveall the factsbeforemovingforwardandtodeterminehowanissueisgoingtobetranslatedintopublicpolicy.

- Weneedapublicforumwherepeoplecanaskanexpert–somethingliketheHarrisCentre’sYaffle.Therecouldbeseveralcategories(e.g.,socialeffects,healthandsafety),withexpertsineachfield.

• Whosevoices?

- Localpeoplearegoingbear thebruntofanynegative impacts.However, inpublicprocesses“noteveryone’s opinionis valid” if they are not informed (i.e., ideologically balanced and scientificallyfactual).

- Whataboutpeoplelivingindirectareasoffracking?Howmuchinfluenceshouldthepeoplewhoarelivingintheseareashavetowardsthedecisionsbeingmade?Shouldtheyhavemoreofasaythanothersintheprovince?

- Alloftheseissuesareultimatelylocalissues;attheendofthedaythisisgoingtobeinsomeone’scommunity.

- Do these communities have the social or educational capacity to adequately engage in theseprocesses?Forinstance,aparticipantmentionedthatthereare3mayorswithintheprovincewhoarefunctionallyilliterate,afactthatalthoughnotproblematiconitsown,couldposechallengesasrural municipalities are charged with engaging with and making decisions with multinational oilcorporations.

• TheGovernment-appointedFrackingReviewPanel:

- Peopleareupsetby the lackofpublicconsultationabout theReviewPanelandhow itsmemberswereselected.

- Theareasofenvironment,healthandsocialsciencesarenotrepresentedonthepanel,norisinputfrom women, Aboriginal peoples and those with expertise in the social sciences; therefore, thepanelismissingimportantinputs.

- Otherprovincesandcountrieshavedoneverythoroughinclusivereviewsandhavebannedfrackingbecause too little is yetknownnowabout its long-term impact.Given that somanyconcernsareknowntodayaboutfracking,thegovernmentcouldpronounceamoratoriumwithoutfurtherado.

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QUESTION2:WHATROLESWOULDYOUEXPECTTHEFOLLOWINGTOPLAYINTHEDECISION-MAKING

PROCESS?

GovernmentofCanada:

• ThereisaperceptionthattheGovernmentofCanadaispresentlyengagedinaprocessofderegulation,limitingaccesstoinformation,silencingscientificresearchanddestroyingexistingdata.

• “Science”needstobemore inclusiveandbroadlydefinedto includepopulationhealth,socialscience,biodiversity,etc.

• The Federal Government should accept and implement the recommendations put forward by theCouncilofCanadianAcademies(relatedtowater,soil,etc.).itisonthebasisofinformationlikethisthatdecisionsshouldbemadebytheFederalandProvincialgovernments.

GovernmentofNewfoundlandandLabrador:

• Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada have jointly reviewed the processes of onshore-to-offshorefracking.Theprovinceshouldbereviewing thisprocess independently; thereare toomanyconflictinginterests.

• TheProvincialGovernment shouldacknowledge that frackinghasbeenbanned inCanadianprovincesandinothercountriesintheworld.Governmentsshouldbelookingatotherjurisdictionsanddrawfromtheir experiences. Places where fracking is happening now, like in the Bakken formations of NorthDakota, could be used as potential case studies for studying the social effects of fracking inWesternNewfoundland.

• There isanexpectation that theProvincialGovernmentcreatean independentandunbiasedpanel toregulateenvironmentalhealth.

• A referendum on frackingmight be a goodway to engagemore people on the issue, undertaken inthoseareasthathaveshalegasoroildeposits.

• Withupcomingelections,frackingshouldbeattheforefrontofpoliticaldebateincommunitiesineverydistrict.ItincorporatesmanyofthesameissuesfromsouthernNewfoundlandtonorthernLabrador.Weshoulddemandthateachpartyhaveapositiononfrackingintheirplatform.

• Politicians should be held accountable for their decisions. There should be a platform from everypolitical party describing their stance on fracking. Bring back open debates which may help withaccountabilityofpoliticians.

• Part of process ofmaking politicians accountable is that the citizenry is responsible for holding themaccountable, for bringingup the issue. Even if it’s a regionof theprovincewhere fracking isn’t beingproposed,thelargerquestionofasustainableenergyplanneedstobebroughtup,aswellasthelargerquestionsofenergysystems.

• GOV’TOFCANADA• GOV’TOFNL• MUNICIPALGOV’TS• MUN

• DRILLINGCOMPANIES• CITIZENS’GROUPS• OTHERS(OTHERPROVINCES,FIRSTNATIONS

GROUPS)

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• ThereisaneedformorepublicdeliberationsandpublicmeetingswiththeFrackingReviewPanelintheroom.Howdowegetthematthetable?

• TheProvincialGovernmentshouldbespear-headingtheprocessthatistakingplacetoday.Itshouldbecollaboratingwithcitizensandcompilingtheinformation,resultinginafinalreportorwebsite.

MunicipalGovernments:

• Municipalgovernmentsdon’ttakeanyinterestinfindingoutwhypeopleareconcernedaboutfracking.Weshouldexpectthemtodosomecriticalthinkingandbackgroundwork.There’sroomfortownhalldiscussionsonthistopic.

• Municipal governments must becomemore informed, hold public discussions and encourage criticalthinkingaboutdevelopment–lookinglong-termatimpactsandsafetyconcerns.

MemorialUniversity:

• As we see today, Memorial University is able to facilitate non-partisan discussion, moving beyond“pro/anti” positioning. Forums that address serious topics – such as fracking, fracking’s impact onsociety,energyeconomics,healthandenvironment,etc.–helpengagethepublic.“MemorialPresents”public forums(suchastheoneheldtheeveningbeforethis forum)areuseful;moreofthesekindsofpresentations pairedwith an opportunity forQ&A sessionsmay be an effectiveway of engaging thepublic.Thereportfromthisevent(includingtherecommendations)shouldbesenttotheReviewPanelonFracking.

• TheHarrisCentrecouldplayakeyroleintheprocessofconsultingandengagingpeopleatthecommu-nity level. The “kitchen-party approach” is as valid an approach as the expert presentation approach.Bus tours to communities targeted for fracking could be a useful tool for engagement byMemorialresearchers.

• MemorialUniversityistoocloselylinkedtothepetroleumindustry.Duetodiminishingmoneyfromthegovernment,theUniversitymustturntoothersources,andtherichestoftheseistheoil&gasindustry.Memorial needs to bemore vocal inmaking the industry and governmentmore accountable to thepubliconcomplexissues.

• However, there is a difference between academics and the university as an institution; individualacademics still have the freedom and tenacity to criticize oil sands, the industry, etc. The Universityshouldconductmorepeer-reviewed research in contentiousareas,and researchers shouldnot inanyway be penalized for conducting peer-reviewed studies of, say, the implications of fracking on theenvironmentandhealth,etc.Electedofficialsoftenvoteon issueswithoutdoingor readingpertinentresearch; that iswhyacademic,unbiased,peer-reviewedresearch is so important.There’saplace forbothtechnicalpolicydocumentsandmoreconcisematerialsforpublicconsumption.

• Reportsneedtoemerge,notjustfromthenaturalsciences,butalsofromthesocialsciences.Giventhatissues suchas frackingaremulti-dimensional, it is important toeliminate the silos thatexistbetweenvariousacademicdisciplines.Researchisalsoneededincommunityhealth,includingbaselineresearchonexistingenvironmentalconditions.

• Theuniversity candobroader,bigger-picture (and longer term) researchextendingbeyondapoliticalterm.Whereas politicians come and go every few years and do not have long-term commitment to

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researchingimplicationsofindustrylikefrackingontheveryfabricoflife,academicshaveamuchlongerdurationforstudyingsuchcrucialthings.

• Thereneedstobeamulti-layeredinformationsystemincludingmonitoring,evenifittakesalongtimetodowell.

• Thereisahugeneedforlanduseplanning,mapping,landregistryandGISprojects.MapsarepowerfulandtiedirectlyintoissuesoflanduseplanningthatwerebroughtupattheIrishLoopworkshop4.Thisistwicenow that communitymembers have expressed a strong interest and a vital need forMemorialUniversity or the Provincial Government to step up and provide GIS specialists, geographers, socialscientists, and urban planners to help ameliorate some of these problems before they become evenmoreentrenched–andexpensivedowntheline.

• SomethinglikeVitalSigns5couldhelpdisseminateinformationtoanon-academicaudience.Aswell,thecreationofabestpracticesplancouldbehelpful.

NGOs/Citizens’Groups:

• There is a need for grassroots involvement and for real consultation with the public, where theiropinionsaretakenseriously.Grassrootsgroupsthatrepresentawiderangeofopinion(andthatarenotnarrowlyideological)havemoreimpactonpublicpolicyandmaybeamoreeffectivecounterbalancetovestedinterests.Todate,itisthesegroupsthathavestimulatedthegreatestamountofconversationinWesternNewfoundland.Thesegroupsareimportant,andleadersfromthesegroupsshouldbeinvitedtositinmeetingsoftheBoardofTrade,roundtablemeetingswithgovernmentministers,etc.

• Electedofficialsshouldberepresentingallviewpoints,butthisisnotnecessarilyhappening.Grassrootsgroups have an important role inmotivating politicians. Tri-party conversations are needed betweengovernment,industry,andcivilsociety.

• Federal,provincial,municipalgovernmentshavedemonizedNGOs/citizens’groupstotrytofurtherthepro-frackingmovement.

Drillingcompanies:

• Project-by-project assessments (the current process for evaluating development projects) omitcumulativeeffectsofmultipleprojectsanddon’tprovideaholisticvisionofwhatwewantasourenergyfuture.Weneedamulti-disciplinaryassessmentthathasmoreofalandscape/bigger-picturevision.

• Developers should be compelled to provide truthful information about costs and risks, and straightanswers aboutwhat they’re proposing to do. Shoal Point Energy, for example, has evaded themostbasicquestions in regards towastewaterdisposal.Their responsibility is tobeable tobetransparentand answer the questions (about number of jobs, etc.). Junior companiesmay not have the capacityand/or resources tobeable toanswerquestions like these.TheEnvironmentalAssessmentprocess isnotseenbysomeaslegitimate,thepublicshouldbegiventheopportunitytoscrutinizeandcommenton it. The environmental assessment and decision-making processes need to be revamped province-wide.

4 Issuesoflanduseplanningweretop-of-mindataHarrisCentreWorkshopheldintheIrishLooptheweekbefore

thisforum:http://www.mun.ca/harriscentre/regionalworkshops/Irish_Loop_RW_Report_final.pdf.5 VitalSigns isacompendiumofstatisticsaboutNewfoundlandandLabradorthatlooksatvariousfactors,suchas

demographics,educationlevels,availabilityofdrinkingwater,etc.:http://www.mun.ca/harriscentre/vitalsigns/.

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• In the current environmental assessment process, developers hire a consulting firm to assess theimpactsofaspecificproject,andtheconsultant’sreportisthensubmittedtogovernmentforapproval.This incentivizes the consulting firms to approve most projects, including dubious ones. It is insteadproposedthatgovernmentselectandhiretheconsultantfirm,andthatthecostsoftheassessmentbereimbursedbythedeveloper.Consultantswouldthereforebefreertocriticizeamarginalprojectortoincludefindingsnotnecessarilysupportiveofaproject.

Media:

• Themedia iskey inengagingthepublic.Talkshows,for instance,givecitizensanopportunitytovoicetheiropinionsandconcerns.Themedia,unfortunately,doesnotengage in investigative journalismtotheextentitcouldinthisprovince.

• The media are generalists and rely on information provided by other parties for stories. MemorialUniversityshouldpositionitselfasthego-toinstitutiontoclarifyissuesortogetleadsforstories.ThereisaneedforMemorialtopresentresearchtothemediainanaccessibleway.

Othergroups:

• Labour organizations, Aboriginal peoples, health groups and other community groups need to beincludedinthedecision-makingprocess.

• TheNewfoundlandandLabradorCollegeofFamilyPhysicianshascalledforafrackingban/moratorium.NewBrunswick’sChiefMedicalOfficercameoutwithrecommendationsagainstfracking.TheNewYorkConcernedHealthProfessionalsconducted400peer-reviewedstudiesdonein2013,followingwhichtheGovernmentoftheStateofNewYorkimposedamoratoriumonfracking.

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NEXTSTEPSANDEVALUATIONThreemainthemesseemtohaveemergedfromthediscussionsattheForum:

1. Instead of looking at fracking in isolation, it is imperative to look at it within an overall vision of asustainableregion.This impliestheneedforavision inthefirstplace. ItwasproposedthatMemorialUniversityofNewfoundlandcouldplayarole inhelpingcitizensofWesternNewfoundlandcreatethisvision. The vision should not limit itself simply to the region but should also include how proposeddevelopmentscouldimpactglobalclimatechange(eitherpositivelyornegatively).

2. Asregardsfrackingitself,thereisaneedformoreinformationaboutitinordertobeabletomakeaninformed decision about its possible adoption in the region. What are the engineering, geological,biological,socialandotherrisks involved?Whowouldmoststandtobenefitfromanyfrackingactivityandwhowouldbeexposed to themost risk?There is aneed forbaseline surveys so that impactsofdevelopmentscanbemoreeasilydetermined.

3. Thereisalackofconfidenceinthecurrentapprovalprocessfordevelopmentproposals.Consultantsareincentivizedtoapproveprojects;developerscanwithholdinformation;theregulatoryprocessisseentofavourdevelopersat theexpenseof local residentsandtheenvironment;andtheapprovalprocess isgenerallyperceivedtobeopaque.Theregulationoffrackingshouldnotbeonawell-by-wellbasis,buton a holistic basis, and should include all impacts from a life-cycle perspective (from exploration todecommissioningtolong-termmonitoring).

The next steps in the process are to compile the notes gathered by the note-takers into one report, and tocirculatethereporttotheForumparticipants.ThereportwillalsobeforwardedtotheChairoftheNewfound-landandLabradorHydraulicFracturingReviewPanel.Approximately half the participants filled out the evaluation format the endof the forum.Out of a possiblescoreof5,thefollowingquestionselicitedthefollowingscores:Q1 Thepromotionforthiseventaccuratelydescribedit 3.7Q2 Therewassufficienttimefordiscussion 4.3Q3 Myopinionsweretreatedwithrespectbythefacilitators 4.4Q4 Myopinionsweretreatedwithrespectbymyfellowparticipants 4.3Q5 Thefacilitationwasunbiasedandimpartial 4.0Q6 TheeventwasapositivecontributiontothediscussiononfrackinginWestern

Newfoundland4.3

Q7 MUNplaysakeyroleinfindingsolutionstoissuesinNL 4.1Q8 Overall,thissessionmetmyexpectations 4.0Somerespondentssubmittedcomments:66 Someminorgrammaticalcorrectionshavebeenaddedtosomecommentsforeaseofcomprehension.

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• Great to see this session after the divestment. This was an excellent event; very good to see BlackSprucerepresentativeshere.Congratulationsonagreatjob!ItwasashamethatDeanBalldidnotstaytohearthedifferentviewpoints.Sometimesanopenmindneedstobefilled.Itwasalsogoodtoseetheantipathytowardselectronicclicker.Let'shopethat ifthere isaReviewPanel itwillnotgodownthatroute.

• Morethanenoughdiscussiontime.Nextevent:speakeronavarietyoftopics,suchashealth,socialandeconomicimpacts,etc.,oranotheronclimatechange,energypolicy.

• Everydevelopmentcanbedoneinasustainable"economic"way.Butwefacemanycrisesthatincludetheenvironment,economicsandenergysectors.Thisdiscussionshouldhavebeenbroadenedtoincludealternatives and other factors that need to be reviewedwith the public andmany sectors to say “iffracking can be done sustainably” vs. other alternatives. Bring everyone in the debate including the"Labrador"Coastline.

• Itwasagoodattempt. I'mnot sure thatwedelved into the issuesenough to tryand reach commonground. I have a lingering sense of frustration that there is still a belief that fracking might be aneconomicsolution,whenwehaven'treallyunderstoodthe“problem”anditscauses.Agingpopulation,outmigration:notuniquetoWesternNFLD.Also,wasindustryspokespersonbeinghonestwhenhesaidtheywerenotlookingatfracking?Sowhoisdrivingthispushforfracking??

• Thankyoufriend,seeyouagain.• Suggestamoreopenand less focusedsessionformat,withmoreopenquestionsandanemphasison

generalissuesofenergyandindustry,ordiscussiononalternativestofracking• Welldone,fair,balanced.• Promotionwas lacking, late.Facilitation improvedover thecourseof theday.HarrisCentreandMUN

doeshavean important role toplay invisioning:a sustainableenergypolicy forNL,ecosystem-basedadaptivemanagement forNL,especially for coastal areas. Ihope thatNL [undecipherable]ReviewonFrackingconsultationswillprovidethislevelofdialogueandinput,butIdoubtit.

• Maybe the title should have been along the lines for open discussion on people's views on fracking.Thereisaneedforcommunitiestohavealong-termvision:whatdotheywanttheircommunitiestobe/tolooklikein20years.Alsoneedforlanduseplanning,properprotectionofcertainassets.Mappingofpotentialoil/gasareason/offshore:whereisit,whatpotential,overlappingland-useissues.

• Disappointedthatnorepresentationpresentfrommunicipal,provincialorfederalpoliticiansexceptforonemayor.Wonderfulgroupofparticipants.

• Thisshouldbecontinued.• Very good session (excellent moderator (Mike? Yellow sweater?) - time expert with good synopsis!!

Fair!!Verygoodpanelists,goodspace,relaxed,engaging,respectful.BravoHarrisCentre!• Greatevent,weneedmoreofthesetypesofevents.Greatjob,MUN.• Wellrun.IthinkHChasrepairedthedamagefromlastyear'smeeting.SuggestthattheRevuePanelbe

addressedasaresultofthismeetingwhichclearlyrecognizedtheirdeficit:composition, lackofpublichealth,communityhealth.

• Additionalmeetingwithresultsofthisone!• Didn'tfeeleventwaswellpublicized.

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APPENDIX:MANDATESOFTHEHARRISCENTREANDTHEEPI

LESLIEHARRISCENTREOFREGIONALPOLICYANDDEVELOPMENT(ST.JOHN'SCAMPUS)• ToharnesstheresourcesofMemorialUniversityintheareasof:

• Regionaldevelopment:solveproblemsusingUniversityexpertise

• Publicpolicy:discussimportantissuesinaninformed,non-partisanandrespectfulmanner

• Civicengagement:empowercitizenstomakeinformeddecisionsabouttheirfuture

• University-widemandate

• Province-widemandate

• Recognizedasa“bestpractice”inCanada

ENVIRONMENTALPOLICYINSTITUTE(CORNERBROOKCAMPUS)• To facilitate debate on provincial environmental policy issues within the environmental policy

communityaswellasthebroaderpublic;

• To facilitate and coordinate research thatoffers a critical analysisof currentenvironmentalpolicyaswellasinnovativesolutionstopolicyproblems;

• Todisseminateand“mobilize”thisresearchwidelytobothacademicandgeneralpublicaudiences;and

• Todevelop the capacity for environmental policy development, evaluation and engagement in theprovincialpolicycommunity,bothwithinandoutsidegovernment.

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APPENDIX:LISTOFREGISTRANTS

FirstName: LastName: JobTitle: Company:Dean Ball MayorofDeerLake TownofDeerLakeKen Bennett Michael Burzynski Retiredecosystem scientist Antony Card AssociateVice-President (Grenfell MemorialUniversity ofNewfoundland

Campus)Research Gary Catano PhDCandidate MemorialUniversity ofNewfoundlandMike Clair AssociateDirector (PublicPolicy) TheHarrisCentreMatthew Connolly Owner A1SafetyTrainingandConsulting Ltd.Conor Curtis John Curtis Bob Diamond LabourRelationsConsultant SelfemployedRoger Duffy NLFAN Brian Eddy Research Scientist FederalGovernmentPaul Foley Assistant Professor GrenfellCampus,MemorialUniversityLeah Fusco PhDcandidate University ofTorontoBojan Furst Manager, KnowledgeMobilization TheHarrisCentreDonald Gale Retired Rob Greenwood ExecutiveDirector MemorialUniversityWayne Hounsell Retired teacher Cam Ibrahim Environmental PolicyConsultant Don Ivany DirectorofProgramsNL AtlanticSalmonFederationSimon Jansen Ian Kennedy Director BlackSpruceExplorationAiden Mahoney Retired Anne Marceau FrackingAwareness NetworkofNLKathy Marche Substitute teacher NLEnglishSchoolBoardJudith May Mary McCormack Retiredteacher Erin McKee Nick Montevecchi Geophysicist Dan Murphy Morgan Murray PublicPolicyIntern TheHarrisCentreChris Noseworthy GreaterCornerBrookBoardofTradeGraham Oliver Retired Carolyn Paul Karen Rashleigh StantecSue Rendell Owner/Operator GrosMorneAdventuresMarjorie Robertson Retired Paul Shoemaker Ian Simpson Physician nilSheila Simpson Jillian Smith Mark Stoddart Associate Professor MemorialUniversity